POV Luella
"I want to participate in the actual hunt," I declared, examining the hunting clothes Tobias had given me. "Not just come along, but really hunt with everyone else."
Tobias paused, his face showing that familiar concern. "Luella, I need you to promise me you'll stay close during the hunt. Kyrell will be there too, and after you beat him at the trials, I think he's planning revenge."
Always worried about me. Maybe he has good reason to worry about Kyrell, but I can't live my life hiding behind Tobias every time his brother might be nearby.
"You don't need to worry," I said. "I've hunted with my family many times."
"Just promise me you won't let your competitive spirit lead you into danger."
My competitive spirit is part of who I am. Why does everyone want me to suppress the very things that make me strong?
"I promise to be careful," I said. "But I won't hide behind you."
Tobias smiled, though worry still filled his eyes. "I wouldn't expect anything less from my true mate."
True mate. Why does that phrase always feel slightly wrong when he says it? Like he's trying to convince himself as much as me.
The morning of the hunt was crisp and clear. I arrived at the woodland edge beside Tobias, excitement running through me for the first time in days.
Kyrell was already there with his usual group. As we approached, his gaze swept over my hunting clothes with obvious dislike.
"How charming," he said. "Luella looks ready to play dress-up as a hunter."
Play dress-up? I'll show him exactly what kind of hunter I am.
"Ignore him," Tobias whispered. "He's trying to upset you."
But I couldn't look away from Kyrell's face. Even knowing how cruel he is, even hating him, his sharp features were undeniably striking. What's wrong with me that I notice these things about him?
"Hunters, prepare for transformation!" called the hunt master.
The shift from human to wolf form always felt right in a way nothing else did. As my bones lengthened and my senses sharpened, I caught the scents of dozens of other wolves changing too.
This is what I was made for. Not sitting in drawing rooms making polite conversation, but running through forests.
Tobias's wolf was magnificent—brown fur that gleamed in the morning light, powerful and noble. Everything a future king should be.
Kyrell's wolf was completely black, lean and dangerous. Beautiful in a way that made something tighten in my chest.
Stop staring at him. Focus on Tobias. Focus on the hunt.
'Your wolf is absolutely stunning,' Tobias's voice filled my mind.
'Thank you,' I replied, moving beside him. Though I found myself distracted by the forest sounds around us.
The hunt master's howl echoed through the forest. The pack split into groups. I ran beside Tobias initially, but as my confidence grew and the thrill took hold, I found myself pulling ahead.
I can handle myself. I don't need his protection, and I don't need to hold back to make him feel better about my abilities.
Our group picked up the trail of wild boar. As we closed in, my hunter's instincts took over completely. I surged ahead of the pack, determined to prove my worth once again.
This feels incredible. This feels like freedom after weeks of being caged in political niceties and proper behavior.
I was so focused on the chase that I didn't realize how far I'd gotten from the others until the woods around me had gone completely silent.
Where is everyone? The forest shouldn't be this quiet during a hunt. Something's wrong.
A low growl behind me made fear spike through my chest.
I spun around to find Kyrell emerging from the trees, flanked by his entire group. Their eyes gleamed with predatory hunger that had nothing to do with hunting boar.
He planned this. He let me run ahead, then cut me off from the others deliberately.
'Remember how you embarrassed me at the combat trials?' Kyrell's mental voice was cold and sharp. 'Now it's time to return the favor.'
I should have listened to Tobias. I should have stayed close to the group. But I was so eager to prove my independence that I walked straight into a trap.
'This is supposed to be a civilized hunt, not your personal revenge,' I snarled back, trying to project more confidence than I felt.
'You became my prey the moment you decided to challenge me,' he replied. 'And now you're going to learn exactly what that means.'
Before I could react, he lunged forward and sank his teeth into my front paw. Pain shot up my leg, sharp and hot.
I understood immediately that my only option was to run.
Terror gave me speed as I bolted through the trees, Kyrell and his pack chasing me. They herded me with practiced skill, cutting off escape routes and forcing me deeper into unfamiliar territory.
They're not trying to catch me quickly. They're playing with me, drawing out my fear and exhaustion.
The pain from multiple small wounds began building up. Despite my wolf's healing abilities, I could feel my strength starting to fade as blood loss and panic took their toll.
How long can I keep this up? How long before I collapse and they finish whatever game this is?
Eventually, they drove me into a dead end—a rocky wall with steep cliffs on either side. I spun to face them, backed against the stone, my chest heaving with exhaustion.
This is it. I'm trapped with nowhere left to run.
Kyrell's companions closed in, their mental voices cruel and satisfied.
'Look at her now—not so proud anymore.'
But before they could attack, Kyrell's commanding growl stopped them.
'She's mine,' he ordered, and his pack immediately backed away. 'Now leave. This is between me and the little wolf.'
Why is he sending them away? What does he want with me alone?
His followers disappeared back into the forest, leaving me alone with Prince.
Kyrell approached slowly.
'Remember this feeling,' His voice filled my head. 'Remember how helpless you are right now. Because you will not have peace as long as I live. Every shadow could hide me. Every moment of happiness will be ruined.'
He's not going to kill me. He wants me to live in fear. To spend every day looking over my shoulder, waiting for him to strike again.
This is worse than death. This is psychological torture.
With that terrifying promise, he howled and disappeared into the trees, leaving me shaking and alone against the stone wall.
I ran toward the forest edge on trembling legs, my wounds aching and my mind spinning with fear and shame. By the time I reached the gathering point, I had managed to compose myself enough to look merely tired rather than terrorized.
I can't tell Tobias what really happened. He'll think I'm weak. He'll use this as proof that I can't take care of myself, that I need his constant protection.
And maybe he'd be right.
"Luella!" Tobias bounded toward me in human form. "Thanks to your tracking skills, we brought down several boar—the best hunt we've had in years."
I forced a smile and accepted his praise, but Kyrell's promise echoed in my mind.
I wanted to prove I was strong and independent. Instead, I've learned exactly how helpless I really am when someone truly wants to destroy me.
The worst part is that some twisted part of me understands why he did it. I humiliated him publicly, and now he's returned the favor. In his mind, we're even.